Avery Johnson wants to get back into coaching, but he said he has had no contact with the New Orleans Hornets

Though he has been mentioned as a potential replacement for New Orleans Hornets Coach Jeff Bower after the franchise’s impending change in ownership, New Orleans native and former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson is taking a wait-and-see approach.

According to league sources, final details still are being ironed out by Shinn’s and Chouest’s representatives, and the deal could be completed by the end of this week.

Johnson is one of the top available coaching candidates and could be an ideal fit for the Hornets, who likely will undergo changes this offseason after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

A source close to Johnson said he is itching to get back into coaching.

“I hear my name bouncing around,’’ Johnson said.``Nothing to report as of today. It’s all speculation, and I have no further comment.’’

Johnson also has been mentioned as a candidate for the New Jersey Nets’ job held by interim coach/general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, who has no interest to continue coaching after this season.

As a high-profiled coach who guided the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006, Johnson could command a salary in the $4 million to $5 million range that Chouest apparently would be willing to pay to get the franchise back on track. Chouest purchased a 25 percent stake of the franchise in 2007 for $62 million and would have to pay close to an additional $200 million for full ownership.

New Orleans (36-45), which ends the regular season Wednesday at Houston, had lost 19 of its previous 24 games before snapping a five-game losing streak with a 114-86 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

A story in the New York Post last week said Johnson is almost guaranteed to be the first choice to succeed Bower, who also serves as general manager. Johnson’s agent, Tony Dutt, has not been available for comment the past week.

Johnson spent 16 years in the NBA and led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA championship in 1999 as a starting point guard. After retiring as a player just before the start of the 2004-05 season, Johnson became an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks and eventually replaced Don Nelson as coach during the final month that season.

In 3 ½ seasons with the Mavericks, Johnson compiled a 194-70 record before he was let go after their first-round playoff elimination by the Hornets in 2008. He is currently an analyst for ESPN, along with former Hornets coach Byron Scott, who was fired after a 3-6 start this season.

Johnson, who prepped at St. Augustine and starred at Southern, also is a close friend of Saints Coach Sean Payton and has given motivational talks to the team.

With uncertainty prevailing, Bower has tried to go about his business as usual.

“My thoughts are centered on what we have to do today and what’s upcoming following the season and the needs that we have to zero in on,’’ Bower said.

Following Bower’s lead, players are steering clear of any talk of a coaching change. None wanted to comment on Johnson being mentioned as Bower’s possible successor.

“The only thing I’m thinking about right now is getting healthy,’’ said three-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul as he walked out of the locker room at the New Orleans Arena for the final home game of the season Sunday night.